Paliotta, Vermont surge back into NCAA picture

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will play Union Friday in the first game of the NCAA East Regional Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will ... more

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will play Union Friday in the first game of the NCAA East Regional Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will ... more

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will play Union Friday in the first game of the NCAA East Regional Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will ... more

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will play Union Friday in the first game of the NCAA East Regional Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

Michael Paliotta, a junior defenceman on the University of Vermont men's hockey team, practices with his team at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Paliotta is from Westport. Vermont will ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team warm up on the ice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team warm up on the ice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey coach Rick Bennett watches his team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey coach Rick Bennett watches his team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in Bridgeport. less

The Union College menâÄôs ice hockey team practice at Webster Bank Arena, in Bridgeport, Conn. March 27, 2014. Union will play Vermont Friday in the first game of the Eastern Regional NCAA Tournament, in ... more

BRIDGEPORT -- In a season of resurgence for Vermont men's hockey, it's no coincidence that Michael Paliotta has made the greatest strides.

After three straight sub-.500 seasons, the Catamounts are back in the NCAA tournament, and the junior defenseman is enjoying his best season. Paliotta, a Westport native and a 2011 third-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks, is second in assists (22) and third in points (27) for the Catamounts heading into Friday's East Regional.

"I think he's exceeded our expectations," Vermont head coach Kevin Sneddon said Wednesday. "He's been a great player since the moment he arrived, but hands down -- I let our players vote for the team awards -- he's been our most improved player."

Paliotta's progression is about more than just numbers. He's been a steady presence on Vermont's top defense pair, playing mostly alongside freshman Rob Hamilton.

Vermont has turned the corner this year after a combined 25-66-15 mark over the past three seasons. Ranked 14th nationally, the Catamounts (20-14-3) play No. 1 Union (28-6-4) in the East Regional semifinals on Friday at Webster Bank Arena.

"He's really taken control of the defensemen, helping out the goalies and everything else," senior forward Chris McCarthy said. "He drives our defensive core. The strides that he made from last year ... it's been unbelievable to see and be a part of."

The Catamounts finished 17-9-2 over their last 28 games to secure one of the field's last at-large bids out of Hockey East. Paliotta averaged nearly a point a game over that stretch.

Making their first appearance in the field of 16 since 2010 and sixth all-time, the Catamounts will face one of the nation's most complete teams. Third-seeded Union, the three-time ECAC champion, is second in offense and fourth in defense nationally.

Despite being an underdog, the 13th-seeded Catamounts are confident with their seemingly tall order. After all, it was only last season that Yale won the title as an at-large.

"We always said, `The hardest part is making it.' Once you get there, anything can happen," the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Paliotta said. "Yale showed that last year. They had to beat some really tough teams, and we know if we want to win, we're going to need to do the same."

A solid effort by the Paliotta-led defense will certainly help. Vermont has allowed fewer than two goals per game over its last eight.

"They're going to fight for every ounce of ice," Union head coach Rick Bennett said. "That makes them a tough matchup."

The last time Vermont played in the Bridgeport regional (2009), the Catamounts advanced to their second Frozen Four. The 20-year-old Paliotta has to go further back to recall his last time on the ice at Webster Bank Arena.

"Not in a very long time," he said.

No matter where Paliotta's played this year, he's looked quite comfortable. He ranks 12th in the nation and third in Hockey East in scoring among defensemen. It's a stark climb considering he scored only 10 points in each of his first two seasons.

"He's kind of the leader of the back end," Sneddon said. "(He's) somebody who could wear the captain next year. He's that dynamic of a leader right now. He just continues to grow and grow as a person."